Events

April 23rd marks one of Cataloña´s favorite holidays – St. George´s Day, or la diada de Sant Jordi. Here it practically equals to Valentine´s Day when the girls give the guys books and receive roses in return.
This holiday is also famous for its traditional sweets and pastries, which we certainly recommend trying.
– Bread of St. George with four red stripes in the cut, resembles the Catalan flag. It doesn´t carry any dyes, only fillings: sobrasada, walnut and Emmental cheese.
– Saint George´s cake. This cake originated in the beginning of the twentieth century and consists of sweet layers with different types of cream. The shape of the cake is reminiscent of a book. It pairs perfectly with a glass of cava.
– A lot of pastry shops, such as La Pastisseria Barcelona, prepare rose-shaped cakes. We also recommend trying Jordi Roca´s Rocambolesc, as every year he comes up with something new to celebrate this special day.

Author: Julia Chesnokova
Telegram: Chesnokova.News
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessnokova

Christmas Market Exhibitors: ceramic designer Olga Makieva

Doesn´t seeing those lovely creatures bring the sweet memories of childhood and the excitement of getting ready for Christmas and New Year holidays?  Designer Olga Makieva has a very poetic explanation for her inspiration: “Apart from the artist and his world, there is another powerful force that creates the magic of the ceramic art- it is the clay interacting with fire. And when those forces come together, the emotional charge, which is the essence of the designer ceramics, is born.” 

Designer pieces by Olga Makieva will be part of the ALÀBRIGA Christmas market display.  And we are sure that any person who will take those lovely pieces into his hands will feel love, warmth and emotions that the designer puts into her work.

If you are driving to France on AP7 from Spain, you can´t miss the sight of Montsoriu Castle proudly rising on a hill. It is one of the most beautiful castles in Catalonia. And if you wish to take a closer look at it, now is the right time!
First, it is located in the Montseny Nature Reserve. The area itself is so beautiful that it has become a must-visit for the nature lovers, hiking fans and those who just want to hide from the scorching summer sun in the shade of tall trees and next to the cool mountain streams.

And second, the castle has a rich history filled with many secrets and legends. It would be great to arrange a guided visit! In addition, the views of the area are just breathtaking and look great on the photos.
The first mentions of the castle date back to 1002, although there is evidence that people inhabited this area as early as the 4th – 3rd centuries BC. During the 11th and 12th centuries, the castle was the residence of the viscount family of Girona, and later became the seat of the influential and powerful Viscounts of Cabrera. At this time, it becomes not just a castle, but a magnificent and, moreover, impregnable palace. However, in the XV century due to the change of owners, the castle began to lose ground. Besides, progress in the firearms resulted in the loss the castle´s strategic importance.

Nowdays the castle is kept in a very good shape due to the massive restoration work started in 1993 which is still on.
For those of you who have an irresistible desire to visit Montsoriu Castle, here are some important tips. Remember that it is located on a 632 m high hill and cannot be reached by car. You can leave your car in the parking lot, from which a well-marked rocky path leads to the castle. It will take you 4o minutes to get there. It is very important to wear good hiking shoes and bring enough drinking water with you. Enjoy the walk!

by Aliya Sati

Have you been to Olot, the capital of the Garrotch Volcanic Park? It is located among extinct volcanoes, four of which are located directly in the city!

A trip to Olot can and should be combined with a visit to the famous Lluernia Fire and Light Festival, held annually in November.
Within the framework of the festival, 50 installations are created in the most significant places in the city, whose protagonists are fire and light. Immediately after the sunset, the city illuminates by the magical light of spotlights and candles, which you can admire until the midnight. City residents and its guests are invited to travel various routes to see the ephemeral light installations, as well as attend performances, exhibitions, and workshops for adults and children.

Last year, due to the pandemic, the festival was extended to 43 days, and the number of facilities was reduced to 20, all located outdoors. However, this did not stop everyone from enjoying the fabulous atmosphere of the event. This year the festival will take place from November 12th to 28th. So, save the date! And we, at ALÀBRIGA, are ready to arrange your visit with a professional guide or just give you the tips to visit on your own!

by Aliya Sati
photo Olga Kalinovskaya